TUCSON, Ariz. - A mother charged with imprisoning her three daughters was sentenced Monday.
Sophia Richter, who pleaded guilty Monday was sentenced ten years probation, seven years on the kidnapping charges, and ten on the child abuse charges.
In April, Richter struggled with emotion as she read statements to confirm her guilt. For privacy, her children are identified by initials.
She said, "I committed kidnapping by knowingly restraining....A.A., B.A, and N.P. With an intent to aid in the commission of a felony child abuse."
Sophia Richter won the right to a new trial when an appeals court ruled should should have been allowed to claim she locked up and abused her daughters because she was afraid of her husband Fernando. He's serving a 58 year sentence in the case.
The couple kept the girls locked in their rooms at homes, first in Pinal County, and later in Midtown Tucson.
In Tucson, the girls escaped and told police they were locked away, fed terrible food, and forced to beg to use the bathroom.
A jury found stepfather Fernando Richter and mother Sophia guilty of child abuse in 2016, finding that they kept Sophia's three daughters imprisoned for years. They were tried together and Fernando Richter was sentenced to 58 years in prison, with Sophia Richter receiving a 20-year sentence. A judge eventually tossed out Sophia Richter's conviction.
In October, a judge reduced bail for Sophia Richter after all three of her daughters testified on behalf of her.
PREVIOUSLY:
Mother accused of imprisoning her children makes plea deal
AZ DOC: Fernando Richter assaulted in prison
Judge imposes new guidelines for release of Sophia Richter
